John G. had arranged with Karen to have another visit to the cave in order to do some sampling and to take some other geologists along to have a look. Bob D. had agreed to come along and help anyone who needed it to get in and out via the entrance shaft. Since Bob had arranged to do this, Dave W. asked if he could also come and have a look at the new extensions in his capacity as DCA Conservation Officer.
We all met up in the café in Monyash at 10:00 and after some had breakfasts and cups of tea, we drove to the end of Derby Lane. It was a straightforward drive as the ground was dry and frozen as the last few days had been cold and dry.
Once Karen plus the geologists and Dave had abseiled down the shaft Bob and I set up a tripod made of three scaffold poles over the shaft in case we needed to assist or haul anyone on the way out later.
It was a very cold day and quite windy so once this was done, we both returned to my car for shelter and chatted until a few hours later Karen popped out of the shaft.
Bob and I returned to the shaft in the field and found Dave was the next person to come up. He managed this with no problems and was soon back at John's car getting changed. Next John arrived and Karen abseiled back down to check the lock as apparently the others weren't sure if they had locked it properly.
Trevor (one of the geologists) arrived next then Karen again. The last remaining member of the party, Richard S., had asked if some ladders could be lowered down as he was happier coming up using them rather than prusiking. Bob had brought four new 10 metre ladders for such an eventuality and we attached three together and attached them to the bar belay but they weren't quite long enough so we attached the last ladder. Richard climbed up as we lifelined him using the scaffold poles as an anchor.
All were very happy with their trip underground and we said “good bye” and went our ways.
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